New LCV registrations were up slightly in February compared to the same month last year, recording just under 2% of growth according to results published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It was large vans (2.5 – 3.5 tonnes) and small vans (under 2.0 tonnes) that carried the market, with both sectors recording more than 4% growth. However, this was countered by falls for mid-size vans (2.0 – 2.5 tonnes), pick-ups and 4x4s.
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There’s not a lot of point reading too much into the numbers, as February is one of the smallest months of the year for new vehicle registrations. However, a second month of growth in a row is certainly a good way to start 2019 after the market was up by 9% in January.
Next month’s results should be far more indicative of the state of the market, as March and September are the two biggest months of the year for new vehicle registrations.
Good month, bad month
It was smiles all round at Vauxhall this month, with sales up more than 72% on the same month last year on the back of strong sales for the run-out Vivaro and new Combi vans. Mercedes-Benz, Citroën, Toyota, Fiat and Renault Trucks also saw double-digit growth.
Not so happy were Ford (despite having four vehicle in the top-ten list), Nissan, Isuzu and LDV, which all saw double-digit falls in February.
Pick-ups not picking up sales
It was a slow month for pick-up registrations in February, down 2% year-on-year and selling far fewer units than mid-size vans. After a stellar month in January, the Mitsubishi L200 fell back out of the top ten. This handed the sector lead back to the Ford Ranger, although the Ranger only just scraped into the top ten itself.
The Peugeot Expert also returned to the best-sellers list, displacing its big brother, the Peugeot Boxer, from last month’s results.
Oh, and to no-one’s great surprise, the Ford Transit Custom, Ford Transit, Ford Transit Connect and Ford Ranger all sit at the top of the sales charts for their sectors.
